Hungary may still have to prove they are big enough to merit sharing a pitch with a certain Cristiano Ronaldo according to the man’s idiosyncratic standards. Frankly it was hard enough for them sharing a pitch with Iceland. In this meeting of two of Euro 2016’s surprise teams Iceland were three minutes away from etching their names into the history books as they pumped every muscle to protect a 1-0 lead. But as has become typical of this tournament, a late twist wrestled away the storyline.

Hungary fans fight with stewards before Iceland game at Euro 2016

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Hungary’s elation in snatching a draw, a result which, when added to their win over Austria, takes them so close to qualification for the round of 16 they can almost touch it, was epitomised by the emotional scenes at the final whistle. The vibrant communion between players and the massed support was not just about this goal, this game, this day. It was also a reflection of 30 years spent on the fringes of international football struggling to live up to their rich past. Their coach, Bernd Stork, recognised that. “It was a great shadow when I started as a manager,” he said. “People still remain in the past. We have to support this new generation and give them a little time.”

He was immensely proud of how his team, who dominated possession but were largely well contained by Iceland’s defensive efforts, were rewarded for their perseverance. The substitute Nemanja Nikolic drove the ball across and as Birkir Saevarsson stretched to try to intervene he prodded the ball past his own keeper. “We forced this goal,” he said. “Iceland defended very cleverly. We did not have clear chances. It’s a compliment to my side, they never gave up.”

While they cavorted on the pitch at the end of it all, Iceland were crestfallen. That tells its own story of their own development, that after two draws they could feel so disheartened that they couldn’t quite get over the line to claim a first victory on this stage. “It feels like a loss,” said the striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson. “We got this goal in our face.”

It was a cruel blow for Iceland. Having said that, though, when their emotions settle they can reflect on a statement contribution to Group F and the chance to try their luck against Austria. “The dressing room was silent after the game,” conceded the co-head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. “But we have to be upbeat. I think we are the only team in Europe that hasn’t lost at a finals. It is good to never have lost. We are still in it. But we were so close to almost securing a win and that’s what is disappointing.”

Indeed they were. Iceland initially showed how comfortable they were with their playing philosophy as they set out to try to contain Hungary but also make inroads where possible. Johann Gudmundsson and Sigthorsson both had efforts on goal before the game’s first moment of high drama.

Iceland’s head of steam exploded when they were awarded a penalty. Gabor Kiraly fumbled as he came out to claim Gudmundsson’s corner, and having dropped the ball, which was falling for Ragnar Sigurdsson, Kiraly’s outstretched arms swept the Icelandic defender’s legs away. The ball bobbled on towards Aron Gunnarsson who was cluttered by Tamas Kadar. The referee, Sergei Karasev, handed Iceland the chance to take the initiative.

Gylfi Sigurdsson radiated coolness as he stood over the penalty spot in front of the Hungary hardcore and the line of police in their riot gear. He slotted Iceland ahead with precision, driving low into the corner of Kiraly’s net. It was another extraordinary moment in the life of this team.

The second half, with something so massive to hold, inspired Iceland to tuck back and take care of defending. But they dropped deeper and dangerously deeper. “The guys were really hard-working. We are absolutely proud of them for this work rate but we could have been a little bit more clever,” Hallgrimsson said.

Balazs Dzsudzsak had been a menace and drew a first clear save of the evening, and it was a sign of the increasing pressure on Iceland that they began to pick up rash bookings. The game changer turned in by Saevarsson sparked jubilation for Hungary. Iceland pick themselves up and turn their attention to their final group game against Austria.

All in all, one week on from when Marseille was assailed by the carnage brought about by the convergence of England, Russia, trained thugs, local malcontents, security forces, tear gas, and mass road and metro closures, the city played host to a different scene. Although there were a few pre-match skirmishes in the Hungary end and the now ubiquitous flares at the end of it all, about 30,000 Hungarians and almost 10% of the Icelandic population were rapt to take part in this adventure, with the majority in heartening spirits. The story continues.